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NASCAR Cup Series: 2018 preseason driver power rankings

By Asher Fair

TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 15: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, lead a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 15, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 15: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, lead a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 15, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 17: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 17: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images) /

#7 through #5

#7. Kevin Harvick ended up in 3rd place in the championship standings in the 2017 season, but he certainly didn’t dominate to get to that position. His consistency in the regular season, a regular season during which he just won one race, set him for a strong playoff run during which he won a round of 8 race to advance to the Championship 4. Without more than two wins in the 2018 season, however, he may struggle to get back there.. No. 4. Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford. KEVIN HARVICK

#6. After Ryan Blaney made it to the round of 8 in just his second full-time Cup Series season driving for a one-car Wood Brothers Racing team, it became clear that his success in the 2017 season, particularly his win at Pocono, was no fluke. Now that he is set to drive for Team Penske in the 2018 season, he is poised for even more success and should enter the season on the list of drivers who have a serious chance to qualify for the Championship 4.. No. 12. Team Penske, Ford. RYAN BLANEY

#5. The introduction of the new Chevrolet Camaro should help Jimmie Johnson arguably more than it helps anyone else. Johnson, who had a “down” season in 2017 during which he still won three races and made it to the round of 8, will pursue his eighth career championship in the sport once again this year. After just the fifth season in the last 12 years during which Johnson did not win the title, expect him to reassert himself as one of the sport’s top drivers in the 2018 season.. No. 48. Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet. JIMMIE JOHNSON

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